God's Perspective on Suffering
Romans 8:18: "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us."
Many of us are experiencing suffering in a way that we could have never fathomed. With the arrival of Covid-19, our lives have been turned upside down. We have been stripped of security and freedoms that we previously took for granted. We have experienced isolation and fear as well as sickness and death. If that was not enough, we have seen the tragic deaths of George Floyd and others, and we have seen all the aftermath of these deaths. A big oozing wound in the fabric of our society has been opened, and the way forward seems unclear.
There are many days when I am hit with overwhelming sadness at where we are as a country. I grieve all that has been lost since March and long for healing and reconciliation among all people. My heart aches, and there is simply no cure for the ache, except for the promises of God.
The suffering of this world will come to an end. We will not experience sickness, death, isolation, and division in the heavenly realms. One day, God will make all things right. We will see the new heavens and the new earth, and we will not remember our former sufferings. They will seem so trivial and minor compared to the glory, joy, and fulfillment found in the Lord.
For now, we have to remind ourselves of the eternal glories awaiting us; we have to choose to trust in the redemptive plans of the Lord; we must work to build his kingdom here on earth; we must seek to be agents of reconciliation and healing. And we must honestly grieve. We grieve all that has been lost. We grieve that for now, we live in a broken and sinful world. Though we grieve, we grieve with hope. This is not the end. Suffering will not last forever. God will work his perfection redemption. We will one day see him face to face. On that day, all suffering will be done; all tears will be wiped away; and we will fully know him.
Lord, give us your perspective on our suffering. Equip us to build your Kingdom, empower us to be agents of reconciliation, and inspire us through your Holy Spirit to hold to trust your redemptive plans.
Many of us are experiencing suffering in a way that we could have never fathomed. With the arrival of Covid-19, our lives have been turned upside down. We have been stripped of security and freedoms that we previously took for granted. We have experienced isolation and fear as well as sickness and death. If that was not enough, we have seen the tragic deaths of George Floyd and others, and we have seen all the aftermath of these deaths. A big oozing wound in the fabric of our society has been opened, and the way forward seems unclear.
There are many days when I am hit with overwhelming sadness at where we are as a country. I grieve all that has been lost since March and long for healing and reconciliation among all people. My heart aches, and there is simply no cure for the ache, except for the promises of God.
The suffering of this world will come to an end. We will not experience sickness, death, isolation, and division in the heavenly realms. One day, God will make all things right. We will see the new heavens and the new earth, and we will not remember our former sufferings. They will seem so trivial and minor compared to the glory, joy, and fulfillment found in the Lord.
For now, we have to remind ourselves of the eternal glories awaiting us; we have to choose to trust in the redemptive plans of the Lord; we must work to build his kingdom here on earth; we must seek to be agents of reconciliation and healing. And we must honestly grieve. We grieve all that has been lost. We grieve that for now, we live in a broken and sinful world. Though we grieve, we grieve with hope. This is not the end. Suffering will not last forever. God will work his perfection redemption. We will one day see him face to face. On that day, all suffering will be done; all tears will be wiped away; and we will fully know him.
Lord, give us your perspective on our suffering. Equip us to build your Kingdom, empower us to be agents of reconciliation, and inspire us through your Holy Spirit to hold to trust your redemptive plans.
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